Associate Director of Facilities – HVAC Operations

Position Details

Position Information

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Facilities–HVAC Operations provides technical leadership for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of campus HVAC and mechanical systems. This position serves as the campus subject matter expert for complex building automation and mechanical infrastructure while supporting energy efficiency, sustainability, reliability and occupant comfort. The position guides preventative maintenance, commissioning and long-term asset management activities. Provides leadership for HVAC operations personnel, mechanical asset lifecycle planning, contract administration, and the development of operational strategies that support the University’s facilities, sustainability, and reliability objectives.

Salary Range: $100,000-$120,000

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.
• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.
• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.
• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.
• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities

HVAC Operations & Maintenance

• Monitor, analyze and optimize Building Management Systems (BMS) and HVAC control sequences to maximize occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and system reliability.
• Direct the maintenance and repair of campus HVAC, heating, cooling and domestic hot water systems.
• Review technical repairs and maintenance requests.
• Establish priorities for mechanical repairs, replacements, and maintenance activities. Determine appropriate use of internal staff, contracted services, or service agreement.
• Develop and oversee preventative and predictive maintenance programs for mechanical assets by developing a complete asset inventory, collecting preventative maintenance data for all equipment, working with Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) staff to build recurring preventative maintenance work orders for all major equipment, and establish a protocol for stocking wear components and for supervisors to verify satisfactory completion.

Technical Leadership

• Provide advanced troubleshooting and engineering support for complex mechanical systems such as VAV, constant volume, VRF and chilled beam systems using district and de-centralized boilers, heat pumps and chillers.
• Be the technical lead for new equipment commissioning processes.
• Ensure turned-over equipment performs as per sequence of operations (SOO), O&M manuals are complete, and staff have received training and understand how to use the equipment.
• Serve as technical subject matter expert for best practices in the maintenance and care of various types of mechanical systems and equipment. Institute preventative maintenance standards for care of equipment.
• Provide or arrange for technical training and/or assistance in developing a proficient technical staff.
• Develop and implement standards, procedures, and best practices for the operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of campus mechanical systems.

Staff Supervision & Workforce Development

• Assign duties to staff based on their roles and adjust assignments as needed.
• Plan, organize and monitor the progress of work and goal completion.
• Hire, onboard, and train staff. Provide clear instructions, regular feedback, and coaching. Communicate performance expectations and goals, complete performance programs and evaluations in a timely manner. Nurture the development of staff by identifying opportunities for training and career development.
• Confirm staff complete required training to maintain compliance with university policies and state and federal laws.
• Act as a liaison between staff and management, relaying information in both directions. Facilitate open communication and collaboration within the Facilities departments and campus stakeholder customers. Address and help resolve staff issues and workplace concerns.

Capital Planning & Project Support

• Provide HVAC technical leadership and review of new project designs, led by the Planning Design and Construction department (PDC), for mechanical systems and equipment.
• Make recommendations for simplification, ease of maintenance, longevity, comfort and energy considerations relative to long term energy efficiency goals and beneficial electrification.
• Coordinate the transition of major repair or replacement projects to Planning, Design and Construction department (PDC) when project scope exceeds maintenance operational capacity.
• Lead direct mechanical equipment replacement projects or major repairs using capital funding with in-house staff or contract mechanical vendors and coordinate directly with PDC staff for operations and maintenance support for larger PDC mechanical projects as needed.
• Develop long-range mechanical infrastructure replacement and renewal plans based on asset conditions, risk, operational needs, and available funding.

Energy Management & Sustainability

• Collaborate closely with Energy Manager to determine energy optimization and reduction initiatives that save energy without compromising building comfort (unoccupied schedule setbacks, hot water temperature resets, etc.).
• Coordinate with the Energy Manager for utility rebates for replacement equipment and peak demand shaving protocols.

Vendor & Contract Management

• Coordinate with the business office to solicit vendor services agreements for HVAC services needed by the University, such as Chiller maintenance and repair contract, BMS services, etc.
• Provide oversight of service contractor scope and work results, as well as the review and approval of applications for payments.
• Coordinate directly with campus term contractors for direct replacement projects.
• Coordinate directly with assigned PD&C Project Management staff AND campus term contractors for large equipment replacement projects not directly managed by Associate Director of Facilities–HVAC and Mechanical Operations.
• Monitor contract performance, expenditures, and service outcomes to ensure compliance with contract requirements and effective stewardship of university resources.

Compliance & Safety

• Stay informed of current mechanical codes and standards for performance.
• Ensure required inspections, testing, certifications, documentations, and records are completed and maintained in accordance with applicable laws, codes, regulations, university requirements.
• Coordinate with Environmental Health & Safety Officer for new employee safety training and annual refreshers for staff. Maintain all records as required.
• Promote safe work practices amongst employees and foster a culture of workplace safety.

Operational Planning & Business Continuity

• Assist Director with department budget forecasting
• Provide back-up oversight for Facilities Operations and Services if the Director is out for an extended period.
• Assist with asset replacement forecasting.
• Maintain department plan for responding to after-hours mechanical emergencies, such as on-call staff.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to Director of Facilities Operations and Services
• Supervises Plant Utility Engineer-2, Maintenance Supervisor-2 for HVAC, and HVAC technicians.
• Works closely with Energy Manager, Planning, Design & Construction Department, and other operations and services groups.
• Provides technical leadership and oversight to HVAC and maintenance personnel as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, facilities management, construction management, HVAC engineering technology or related field and five years of progressively responsible experience in HVAC or mechanical systems design, operation, maintenance, commissioning, or related mechanical infrastructure; OR Associate’s degree in a related field and nine years of progressively responsible experience in the same areas.
• Experience using building automation systems and sequence of operations (SOO) to monitor, control, and optimize complex mechanical systems.
• Three years supervisory experience leading technical, design, trade, maintenance, or facilities personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership of complex mechanical maintenance programs, capital projects, or technical operations involving trade and maintenance personnel.
• Experience operating, maintaining, commissioning, designing or installing complex mechanical systems in large institutional, commercial, industrial or campus environments.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to support maintenance planning, work management, and asset lifecycle management.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Engineer-in-Training (EIT), or other relevant engineering credentials.
• Experience higher education, healthcare, government, institutional, or similarly complex facilities environments.
• EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification.
• Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP), or a related facilities management certification.
• Experience with commissioning, energy management, heat pump technologies, geothermal systems, or other high-energy efficiency building systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of HVAC, hydronic, chilled water building automation, commissioning, and energy management principles, with the ability to evaluate mechanical system performance and review mechanical designs.
• Ability to develop, implement, and optimize comprehensive preventative and predictive maintenance programs utilizing CMMS technologies.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret operational data and asset performance metrics to support maintenance and capital planning decisions.
• Knowledge of applicable mechanical codes, New York State regulations and ASHRAE standards governing mechanical system operations, maintenance, and performance.
• Working knowledge of electrical systems, controls, and equipment interfaces related to HVAC and mechanical system operation.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to motivate employees, manage performance, fostering collaboration, and apply collective bargaining agreements, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with employees, contractors, consultants, campus stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
• Project and organizational management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage mechanical projects and operational initiatives.
• Proficiency with CMMS, BMS, and related software systems used to manage mechanical assets, maintenance activities, and building performance.
• Ability to analyze building performance and energy consumption data to support operational efficiency and sustainability objectives.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and the ability to remain current with emerging HVAC technologies, building automation systems, industry standards, codes, and maintenance best practices.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

EEO Statement

SUNY is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process may request an accommodation by contacting our HR ADA Coordinator in Miller Room 302, 607-753-2302, hr@cortland.edu. Requests for accommodation will be considered consistent with applicable law. This process is separate from, and does not require, any voluntary self-identification of disability status.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Special Instructions

Special Instructions to Applicant

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. Are you currently employed by SUNY Cortland? If so, please indicate what type of employee.
   • UUP Professional
   • UUP Faculty
   • Management Confidential
   • Research Foundation
   • Represented by CSEA, PBANYS or PEF
   • Full Time Lecturer
2. • Will you now or in the future require employment visa sponsorship?
     • Yes
     • No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents